Volleyball team partners with Colts for charity

Five Anderson University women’s volleyball players partnered with the Indianapolis Colts organization and former Colts’ players last Sunday to kick off the Change for America’s Babies campaign, a coin drive to help the organization raise funds in the fight to improve the health of babies.

The fund raiser sponsored by the March of Dimes took place at the RCA Dome prior to the Colts’ home game last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

March of Dimes volunteers were stationed around the RCA Dome and at tailgate areas in the city. A total of $4,200 was raised in the effort. The fund-raiser included an autograph session with former Colts’ players Randy Dixon, Ray Donaldson and John Hand.

“Participating in community service projects is an important focus for our program, and the Change for America’s Babies campaign was an excellent opportunity for some of our student-athletes,” said AU volleyball coach Tami Miller.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.

For the last three years, the women’s volleyball program has assisted the family of assistant coach Chris Sherck raise funds to support medical needs for his son, Malachi, who was born with Short Gut Syndrome and has undergone multiple surgeries plus an intestine and liver transplant.

“Our program has seen first-hand the miraculous work of modern medicine with Malachi Sherck,” said Miller. “We want our student-athletes to stretch themselves academically, spiritually and socially, and taking an active role in these types of service learning projects provides tremendous clarity about the importance of being a responsible citizen.”